partnering with community colleges gwi 2012 (2)

Partnering with CommunityColleges

Partnering with CommunityColleges

Dr. Fay M. ButlerDr. Fay M. ButlerDirector of Student EngagementDirector of Student EngagementLaGuardia Community ColleLaGuardia Community College

Partnering with Community Colleges• There are three Proposed Workshop

outcomes/objectives• The first objective is to review the role of the community

college in the current higher education landscape,including a brief review of history.

• The second objective is to gain an understanding of thecritical nature of the importance of partnering withCommunity Colleges by creating clear pathways.

• The third Objective to is think of the future/ Next Steps.

Partnering with Community Colleges• There are three Proposed Workshop

outcomes/objectives• The first objective is to review the role of the community

college in the current higher education landscape,including a brief review of history.

• The second objective is to gain an understanding of thecritical nature of the importance of partnering withCommunity Colleges by creating clear pathways.

• The third Objective to is think of the future/ Next Steps.

Partnering with Community Colleges

I. The Community College in the Higher EducationLandscape- Brief Review of History of the CommunityCollege

II. The Community College in the Higher EducationLandscape- Reasons to Partner with CommunityColleges-

II. Providing Pathways for Community College StudentsIII. Recommendations/ Brief exercise

Partnering with Community Colleges

I. The Community College in the Higher EducationLandscape- Brief Review of History of the CommunityCollege

II. The Community College in the Higher EducationLandscape- Reasons to Partner with CommunityColleges-

II. Providing Pathways for Community College StudentsIII. Recommendations/ Brief exercise

The Community Colleges in the Higher EducationLandscape: Brief Review and History

• Founded in 1901, Joliet Junior College in Illinois is theoldest existing public two-year college. In the earlyyears, the colleges focused on general liberal artsstudies.

• During the Depression of the 1930s, community collegesbegan offering job-training programs as a way of easingwidespread unemployment. After World War II, theconversion of military industries to consumer goodscreated new, skilled jobs.

.


• Founded in 1901, Joliet Junior College in Illinois is theoldest existing public two-year college. In the earlyyears, the colleges focused on general liberal artsstudies.

• During the Depression of the 1930s, community collegesbegan offering job-training programs as a way of easingwidespread unemployment. After World War II, theconversion of military industries to consumer goodscreated new, skilled jobs.

.


This economic transformation along with the GIBill created the drive for more higher educationoptions. In 1948, the Truman Commissionsuggested the creation of a network of public,community-based colleges to serve local needs.

.


This economic transformation along with the GIBill created the drive for more higher educationoptions. In 1948, the Truman Commissionsuggested the creation of a network of public,community-based colleges to serve local needs.

.


• Community colleges became a national network in the1960s with the opening of 457 public community colleges -

more than the total in existence before that decade.•The construction involved in this gigantic growth of

facilities was funded by a robust economy and supportedby the social activism of the time. The number of

community colleges has steadily grown since the 1960s. Atpresent, there are 1,166 community colleges in the UnitedStates. When the branch campuses of community colleges

are included, the number totals about 1,600.

.


• Community colleges became a national network in the1960s with the opening of 457 public community colleges -

more than the total in existence before that decade.•The construction involved in this gigantic growth of

facilities was funded by a robust economy and supportedby the social activism of the time. The number of

community colleges has steadily grown since the 1960s. Atpresent, there are 1,166 community colleges in the UnitedStates. When the branch campuses of community colleges

are included, the number totals about 1,600.

.

The Community Colleges in Higher Education:Reasons to Partner with Community Colleges(adapted from the College Board)

The College Board Report listed six reasons.

1. Community Colleges are the largest postsecondaryeducation segment and its share of theundergraduate population likely to increase.

.

The Community Colleges in Higher Education:Reasons to Partner with Community Colleges(adapted from the College Board)

The College Board Report listed six reasons.

1. Community Colleges are the largest postsecondaryeducation segment and its share of theundergraduate population likely to increase.

.

The Community Colleges in Higher Education:Reasons to Partner with Community Collegesadapted from the College Board

They serve almost half of the undergraduate students inthe United States, providing open access to postsecondary

education, preparing students for transfer to 4-yearinstitutions, providing workforce development and skillstraining, and offering noncredit programs ranging from

English as a second language to skills retraining tocommunity enrichment programs or cultural

activities.(AACC, 2006)

The Community Colleges in Higher Education:Reasons to Partner with Community Collegesadapted from the College Board

They serve almost half of the undergraduate students inthe United States, providing open access to postsecondary

education, preparing students for transfer to 4-yearinstitutions, providing workforce development and skillstraining, and offering noncredit programs ranging from

English as a second language to skills retraining tocommunity enrichment programs or cultural

activities.(AACC, 2006)

2. Community College Students want to transfer

Transfer has been and continues to bea popular goal for a large proportion of incomingcommunity college students. Surveys indicatethat at least 50 percent and perhaps as many as80 percent of all incoming community collegestudents seek to transfer and earn a bachelor’sdegree.

2. Community College Students want to transfer

Transfer has been and continues to bea popular goal for a large proportion of incomingcommunity college students. Surveys indicatethat at least 50 percent and perhaps as many as80 percent of all incoming community collegestudents seek to transfer and earn a bachelor’sdegree.

2. Community College students want totransfer

Many students who intend to earn subbaccalaureate credentialsat a community college often increase theireducational aspirations after starting at a twoyear college. (College Board,2011)

2. Community College students want totransfer

Many students who intend to earn subbaccalaureate credentialsat a community college often increase theireducational aspirations after starting at a twoyear college. (College Board,2011)

Reasons to Partner with CommunityColleges continued

3. Community Colleges will prepare more students fortransfer in the future, especially students from middleclass background

The American Association of Community Colleges(AACC) estimates that between 2007 and 2009,the number of full-time students enrolled incommunity colleges grew 24 percent and,as noted above, significant overall growth in


3. Community Colleges will prepare more students fortransfer in the future, especially students from middleclass background

The American Association of Community Colleges(AACC) estimates that between 2007 and 2009,the number of full-time students enrolled incommunity colleges grew 24 percent and,as noted above, significant overall growth in

3. Community Colleges will prepare morestudents for transfer in the future, especiallystudents from middle class background

community college enrollment has been fueledlargely by traditional-age students (18–24 years).Traditional-age students attending full timeare far more likely than other students to havetransfer and the bachelor’s degree as a goal.

3. Community Colleges will prepare morestudents for transfer in the future, especiallystudents from middle class background

community college enrollment has been fueledlargely by traditional-age students (18–24 years).Traditional-age students attending full timeare far more likely than other students to havetransfer and the bachelor’s degree as a goal.


4. Community colleges attract students from underservedgroups in greater numbers than four year colleges anduniversities

•Nearly half of all undergraduates, and more than 50percent of all Black and Latino students attendcommunity colleges (American Association of

Community Colleges, AACC, 2006)


4. Community colleges attract students from underservedgroups in greater numbers than four year colleges anduniversities

•Nearly half of all undergraduates, and more than 50percent of all Black and Latino students attendcommunity colleges (American Association of

Community Colleges, AACC, 2006)


4. Community colleges attract students from underservedgroups in greater numbers than four year colleges anduniversities.Traditionally, our community colleges have been criticalportals of entry to higher education for underservedstudents. They enroll high proportions of Black, Latinoand Native American Students and high proportions ofstudents from lower income and working class families.(Rhoades, 2012)


4. Community colleges attract students from underservedgroups in greater numbers than four year colleges anduniversities.Traditionally, our community colleges have been criticalportals of entry to higher education for underservedstudents. They enroll high proportions of Black, Latinoand Native American Students and high proportions ofstudents from lower income and working class families.(Rhoades, 2012)


5. Community colleges cost less to attend thanfour-year institutions

The cheaper price tag is very attractive to manystudents. According to data compiled by the CollegeBoard and AACC, tuition and fees at communitycolleges average only 36.2 percent of the average four-year public college tuition and fee bill. (College Board)


5. Community colleges cost less to attend thanfour-year institutions

The cheaper price tag is very attractive to manystudents. According to data compiled by the CollegeBoard and AACC, tuition and fees at communitycolleges average only 36.2 percent of the average four-year public college tuition and fee bill. (College Board)


6. Community colleges are more accessible than four- yearinstitutionsTwenty-nine percent of community colleges are locatedin cities, 24 percent in towns and 18 percent in ruralareas. In a recent survey of students, proximity was amajor reason why they selected one school overanother. (College Board, 2011)


6. Community colleges are more accessible than four- yearinstitutionsTwenty-nine percent of community colleges are locatedin cities, 24 percent in towns and 18 percent in ruralareas. In a recent survey of students, proximity was amajor reason why they selected one school overanother. (College Board, 2011)


Summary• Community Colleges enroll at least half of the

undergraduate students, especially underservedstudents.

• Community College students indicate that they want totransfer

• NEXT- Providing Pathways


Summary• Community Colleges enroll at least half of the

undergraduate students, especially underservedstudents.

• Community College students indicate that they want totransfer

• NEXT- Providing Pathways

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudents-Four ways

• Making a Commitment to Community Collegestudents

• Outreach to Community College Students• Admitting Community College students• Creating a Transfer Receptive Culture

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudents-Four ways

• Making a Commitment to Community Collegestudents

• Outreach to Community College Students• Admitting Community College students• Creating a Transfer Receptive Culture

Providing Pathways for Community College Students

Making a commitment to Community College studentsThe higher education leaders interviewed for the CollegeBoard Community College Projectstressed that “a serious commitment toenroll and serve transfer students from communitycolleges cannot be a separate initiative, parked alonga sidetrack, while the institution fulfills its mission onthe main line”.

Providing Pathways for Community College Students

Making a commitment to Community College studentsThe higher education leaders interviewed for the CollegeBoard Community College Projectstressed that “a serious commitment toenroll and serve transfer students from communitycolleges cannot be a separate initiative, parked alonga sidetrack, while the institution fulfills its mission onthe main line”.

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudents:

Making a commitment to Community College studentsThey also stressed that the institution must valuetransfer students by including them as part of itsstrategic enrollment plan. If a four-year college oruniversity does not foster an institution-wide appreciationof transfer students as full-fledged members of thecampus community, their presence serves neitherthe student nor the institution well.


Making a commitment to Community College studentsThey also stressed that the institution must valuetransfer students by including them as part of itsstrategic enrollment plan. If a four-year college oruniversity does not foster an institution-wide appreciationof transfer students as full-fledged members of thecampus community, their presence serves neitherthe student nor the institution well.


Outreach to Community College StudentsThe following are some of the challenges, recruiters mayface when reaching out to community college transferstudents.Finding qualified students ready to transfer. Transferstudents as a cohort are hard to capture because unlikehigh school students, they don’t begin and end at thesame time.


Outreach to Community College StudentsThe following are some of the challenges, recruiters mayface when reaching out to community college transferstudents.Finding qualified students ready to transfer. Transferstudents as a cohort are hard to capture because unlikehigh school students, they don’t begin and end at thesame time.

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudents

Outreach to Community College Students• Transfer students face many obstacles when preparing

to transfer, entrance requirements vary from institution toinstitution. Outreach messages regarding requirementsand expectations must be intentional and focus onacademic preparation.

• States one educator “If you want transfer students to besuccessful, academic preparation should not be anafterthought”.


Outreach to Community College Students• Transfer students face many obstacles when preparing

to transfer, entrance requirements vary from institution toinstitution. Outreach messages regarding requirementsand expectations must be intentional and focus onacademic preparation.

• States one educator “If you want transfer students to besuccessful, academic preparation should not be anafterthought”.

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudents:Admitting Community College studentsExperts agree that the goal of any successful transferprocess is to admit academically prepared studentswho are ready to begin the major at the four-yearinstitution. It makes little sense to enroll students onlyto have them repeat or complete additional lower divisioncourses. While the goal is clear, the road getting theremay be rocky.( College Board, 2011)

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudents:Admitting Community College studentsExperts agree that the goal of any successful transferprocess is to admit academically prepared studentswho are ready to begin the major at the four-yearinstitution. It makes little sense to enroll students onlyto have them repeat or complete additional lower divisioncourses. While the goal is clear, the road getting theremay be rocky.( College Board, 2011)

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudentsAdmitting Community College studentsFour-year colleges and universities interested inrecruiting significant numbers of community collegestudents have to prepare for three challenges: evaluatingthe transfer students’ application files, which are moredifficult to review than freshman files; assessing thestudents’ preparation for their intended major; anddetermining the students’ educational fit.

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudentsAdmitting Community College studentsFour-year colleges and universities interested inrecruiting significant numbers of community collegestudents have to prepare for three challenges: evaluatingthe transfer students’ application files, which are moredifficult to review than freshman files; assessing thestudents’ preparation for their intended major; anddetermining the students’ educational fit.


Admitting Community College students

• Standardized articulation agreements• Evaluating transcripts• Reviewing the students coursework carefully to make

certain that he or she is ready to handle upper divisioncourses.


Admitting Community College students

• Standardized articulation agreements• Evaluating transcripts• Reviewing the students coursework carefully to make

certain that he or she is ready to handle upper divisioncourses.


Admitting Community College students-Partnerships andAlliances help to create transfer pathwaysUsing a JK Cooke Foundation grant,UNC Chapel Hillpartners with Raleigh Durham schools to preparepotential community college students. Other institutionsparticipating in a similar initiative are: GeorgetownUniversity, University of Central Florida, Iowa State andTexas A& M. Likewise, Wichita State and Butler CC havea strong alliance/partnership.


Admitting Community College students-Partnerships andAlliances help to create transfer pathwaysUsing a JK Cooke Foundation grant,UNC Chapel Hillpartners with Raleigh Durham schools to preparepotential community college students. Other institutionsparticipating in a similar initiative are: GeorgetownUniversity, University of Central Florida, Iowa State andTexas A& M. Likewise, Wichita State and Butler CC havea strong alliance/partnership.


Creating a Transfer Receptive Culture-• Colleges should Honor the presence and contributions of

Community College Students• After the community College students are admitted,

institutions face the challenge of “establishing acomprehensive and strategic transfer initiative: servingthem as full- fledged members of the campus”. (CollegeBoard, 2011)


Creating a Transfer Receptive Culture-• Colleges should Honor the presence and contributions of

Community College Students• After the community College students are admitted,

institutions face the challenge of “establishing acomprehensive and strategic transfer initiative: servingthem as full- fledged members of the campus”. (CollegeBoard, 2011)


Creating a Transfer Receptive Culture-• The culture of your institution is critical• Remember we spoke earlier about authenticity of

commitment to transfers students• If the institution is authentic, there will be an

establishment of a transfer culture that assists thestudent in negotiating the gap between the communitycollege and the new institution.


Creating a Transfer Receptive Culture-• The culture of your institution is critical• Remember we spoke earlier about authenticity of

commitment to transfers students• If the institution is authentic, there will be an

establishment of a transfer culture that assists thestudent in negotiating the gap between the communitycollege and the new institution.


Creating a Transfer Receptive Culture-• Orientation-Four year institutions need to think carefully

about what they need to address.• Transfer centers-Models vary, but this center can be a

place where they can forge connections with othertransfer students.

• Reserve special housing for Transfer students


Creating a Transfer Receptive Culture-• Orientation-Four year institutions need to think carefully

about what they need to address.• Transfer centers-Models vary, but this center can be a

place where they can forge connections with othertransfer students.

• Reserve special housing for Transfer students


Summary• Make a commitment to Community College students• Intentional and purposeful outreach to community

college students• Admit and provide financial aid for community college

students• Create a receptive transfer culture


Summary• Make a commitment to Community College students• Intentional and purposeful outreach to community

college students• Admit and provide financial aid for community college

students• Create a receptive transfer culture

Providing Pathways for Community College Students:

Recommendations and Next Steps• Community Colleges enroll more students than any other

postsecondary segment in the Unites States (College Board,2011)“Students from underserved groups attend communitycolleges in greater numbers than four-year institutions and,according to virtually every demographer alive, these studentgroups, especially Hispanic students, are predicted to post thegreatest gains in population for the foreseeable future.”

Providing Pathways for Community College Students:

Recommendations and Next Steps• Community Colleges enroll more students than any other

postsecondary segment in the Unites States (College Board,2011)“Students from underserved groups attend communitycolleges in greater numbers than four-year institutions and,according to virtually every demographer alive, these studentgroups, especially Hispanic students, are predicted to post thegreatest gains in population for the foreseeable future.”


Recommendations and Next Steps

The growing popularity of community colleges mean thatthe transfer process will become increasingly importantas a pathway for students who wish to earn a bachelor’sdegree.

Community College leaders offer this advice:


Recommendations and Next Steps

The growing popularity of community colleges mean thatthe transfer process will become increasingly importantas a pathway for students who wish to earn a bachelor’sdegree.

Community College leaders offer this advice:

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudents:Recommendations and Next Steps

Community College leaders offer this advice:• Create an institution-wide vision that includes transfer

students.• Treat transfers in outreach, admission, and

academic and student affairs with a devotionsimilar to that of first-year students; and understand that theneeds of transfer students may be different than those of first-year students.

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudents:Recommendations and Next Steps

Community College leaders offer this advice:• Create an institution-wide vision that includes transfer

students.• Treat transfers in outreach, admission, and

academic and student affairs with a devotionsimilar to that of first-year students; and understand that theneeds of transfer students may be different than those of first-year students.

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudents: Recommendations and Next StepsIf it is true that access and equity is a goalembraced by most colleges and universitiesin the country, then a partnership with —perhaps even a reliance on —communitycolleges and the transfer pathway will beessential.(College Board, 2011)

Exercise

Providing Pathways for Community CollegeStudents: Recommendations and Next StepsIf it is true that access and equity is a goalembraced by most colleges and universitiesin the country, then a partnership with —perhaps even a reliance on —communitycolleges and the transfer pathway will beessential.(College Board, 2011)

Exercise

Providing Pathways for Community College Students:References

• College Board Report: Improving Student Transfer from CommunityColleges to Four Year Institutions- Perspectives of Leaders fromBaccalaureate- Granting Institutions (2011)

• Facilitating Seamless Transition for Transfer Students: University-Community College Relationships. Session W1.126 AACRAO 2006,San Diego, Ca

• Geleskie. E. (2008). Advisors Perceptions of Barriers to a SmoothTransition from a Community College to a Four-Year University.Dissertation. University of Pennsylvania


• College Board Report: Improving Student Transfer from CommunityColleges to Four Year Institutions- Perspectives of Leaders fromBaccalaureate- Granting Institutions (2011)

• Facilitating Seamless Transition for Transfer Students: University-Community College Relationships. Session W1.126 AACRAO 2006,San Diego, Ca

• Geleskie. E. (2008). Advisors Perceptions of Barriers to a SmoothTransition from a Community College to a Four-Year University.Dissertation. University of Pennsylvania


• Haurwitz, R. (2010). Community colleges face funding, classroomchallenges amid rising enrollment. Statesman.com (December 29,2010)

• Johnson, G. (2007). Seamless Transition in the Twenty- FirstCentury: Partnering to Survive and Thrive. New Directions forCommunity Colleges, no 139.Fall 2007

• Mellow, G &Heelan, C. (2008). Minding The Dream . Rowman andLittlefield, New York, NY

• Rhoades, G. (2012) Closing the Door, Increasing the Gap: Who’snot going to (community) college?. Center for the Future of HigherEducation.


• Haurwitz, R. (2010). Community colleges face funding, classroomchallenges amid rising enrollment. Statesman.com (December 29,2010)

• Johnson, G. (2007). Seamless Transition in the Twenty- FirstCentury: Partnering to Survive and Thrive. New Directions forCommunity Colleges, no 139.Fall 2007

• Mellow, G &Heelan, C. (2008). Minding The Dream . Rowman andLittlefield, New York, NY

• Rhoades, G. (2012) Closing the Door, Increasing the Gap: Who’snot going to (community) college?. Center for the Future of HigherEducation.